Public spaces are always changing to keep up with the times, and technology is a huge element of that. With digital wayfinding, dig and book scanners, libraries are finding new ways to stay efficient and make life easier for their visitors.
One of the simplest ways to modernise your library is by using digital screens. They are not just practical, they can make your library more inviting and encourage people to keep coming back.
With libraries, some people visit to study, some come to borrow the latest bestseller, and others bring their children or students to spark a love of reading. For many, libraries are a hub of information for anyone working on research or writing. Whatever brings people through the door, giving them a great experience will keep them coming back.
Here are seven ways digital screens are transforming libraries and the experience they offer.
1. Wayfinding
There are many books available at libraries. In fact, some libraries hold millions of books. With so many on offer, locating a specific book can be a daunting task.
Libraries have traditionally used static posters to guide visitors, but finding the right books can be challenging, especially in larger libraries with multiple floors and constantly changing stock. Patrons need up-to-date information to navigate quickly and easily.
This is where digital library screens can be used to improve efficiency and make for a seamless
Digital wayfinding in libraries is an effective way of improving the experience of library goers. Enabling the opportunity to search for a particular book or genre and receive real-time directions creates a more streamlined user experience.
Moreover, if the library needs to update sections, stock, or directions, they can do so in minutes. Through digital signage software, the library can log on, update the content, click update, and all their screens will show the new content.
2. Promote New Books and Events
Libraries must constantly boost their offering to keep readers excited and engaged.
With digital library screens, itโs possible to schedule promotions leading up to the day of a new release. It’s important for libraries to keep visitors excited and engaged, which can be easily achieved by scheduling promotions on digital library screens.
A digital display in a library can display introduction videos from the author, or even cycle through book reviews.
The benefits of digital library screens donโt stop there. Digital signage also offers the ability to incorporate RFID readers (card scanners) which add a whole new layer of interaction and engagement. This technology can be brilliant for entertaining children. For example, characters from their favourite books could have an RFID chip inside them, triggering videos or interactions on the digital screens when placed nearby. Elements like this create a memorable and personalised experience, encouraging returning visitors.
Screens can also be utilised to promote events โ like book clubs, author signings or other activities and workshops that are happening in the community.
3. Schedule Content
With many events, holidays, and activities going on during the year, libraries will need to stay ahead of the game and plan ahead.
Traditional methods such as posters can be costly and time-consuming. If you’re relying on print material, this means rushing to print and distribute posters before an event starts. However, digital library screens mean content can be planned and scheduled for specific times months in advance. This doesn’t just help productivity but saves wasted resources from unnecessary printing.
Scheduling is especially helpful for seasonal promotions. For example, Christmas content can be scheduled to play long before the holiday season. This allows you to prepare for the busy festive period without the hassle of rushing to make content a week before the festivities begin. The scheduling feature is a fail-safe digital signage feature. It saves time and will keep your library organised.
4. Promote Library Messages
Digital library screens are a great way to inform members about important issues. Posters can blend into the background and often display outdated content. If there is an issue in the library, for example, readers failing to return books back to their shelves, a polite message on a digital library screen can be an eye-catching, welcoming reminder.
A digital library screen is also a great tool to praise and celebrate positive moments in the library. For example, if thereโs an upcoming visit from an author or someone who has contributed to the success of the library, an announcement on a digital screen is a great way to keep everyone informed.
If there is news about upcoming releases, changes to departments or renovations โ you can let people know by updating your screen network.
5. Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool and a great way to connect with your audience. More and more libraries are utilising social platforms to connect with their readers. It acts as an additional channel to update members on library updates.
With digital library screens and digital signage software, you can display your live social media feed directly to your screen network. This adds a new level of engagement between the library and its members. This will also help members stay informed and up to date. As part of the library’s social media strategy, you could encourage your members to share user-generated content (UGC) such as videos, photos, or text. Encouraging them to share their content helps boost outreach and improve customer confidence/trust. This UGC can be shared with your library screens through a live social feed.
You should interact and share UGC with your followers to make your members feel appreciated. You could ask for this UGC by starting a competition โ that could be by asking your audience to share a photo of their current read or favourite book, or by tagging their friends in the comments, and so on. They could win a free bookmark, a book, or a ticket to an upcoming event. This would be worth the cost for the gained traffic generated.
6. Strengthen Brand Identity
Brand identity is crucial. You want your members to be able to instantly recognise your content across platforms โ whether thatโs emails, social media, or through your digital screens. The more likely members recognise your content the more likely they will engage with it. This can help lead to more sign-ups for library schemes and encourage passers-by to enter.
Brand identity involves using the same recognisable elements in your marketing materials to create a consistent content feed, such as:
- Using a consistent, recognisable font
- Ensuring logos are used appropriately across all library marketing materials
- Keeping colours consistent and aligned
- Layouts and content screens that match the overall look of the library space
- Matching content to the department in which it is located
Keeping a consistent look across all branded materials, including digital signage, creates a visually and aesthetically pleasing look and helps to keep content memorable. Brand identity is important across all channels. Whether itโs a post on social media or an update on one of your screens, brand identity is key. By aligning all your content and keeping it โon brandโ not only does your library appear more professional, it makes your content more recognisable.
Library digital signage is a great way to strengthen your brand identity. By including all your brand elements across your content, you keep it relevant and professional.
7. Engaging Library Members through screens
No matter what industry your organisation exists in, the engagement of your customers, members or audience is key. If your audience is more engaged they are more likely to consume your content, sign up to events, and turn into fans.
But how can you increase the engagement of your members at your library using digital signage?
Member Events โ Events are a great way to engage a variety of members. For example, on a Monday evening at 6 pm, invite people to a themed quiz, and use digital signage to display quiz questions, answers and leaderboards.
Author Quotes โ Why not display inspirational quotes and reference the book or author (to build interest)? Like โThere is some good in this world, and itโs worth fighting for.โ โ J.R.R. Tolkien.
Charity Events โ You could run a challenge in support of a local charity. This might be in the form of a โread-a-thonโ โ to encourage people to pick up a certain book genre. Then, you could ask for donations or donate the proceeds of particular books. This will help to improve the library’s reputation too.
Seasonal Content โ Keep members engaged with seasonal-specific content. Launch a 12-books-of-Christmas scheme or an advent calendar of book quotes. Not only does it help members get into the Christmas spirit, but it also helps keep them excited and coming back during the holidays.
Benefits of Digital Signage for Libraries
Digital displays provide a wide range of real, tangible benefits for both the library community and the general public. Your staff and everyday users will also enjoy a variety of benefits when you showcase important information on digital signage solutions.
With that in mind, here are a few key reasons why you should create and share free digital resources via screens:
Audience Engagement
The best community spaces use a variety of mediums to engage with visitors. Using digital signage in a library can create a sense of community and engage people in a new way.
You can use wall screens to deliver updates, share news of new services, and encourage users to check out the latest books. These interactive solutions will allow for a self-service experience, making it more accessible.
Free Resource Sharing
Interactive signage represents the ideal medium for creating and sharing updates, services, and learning resources with your members. You can deliver more value to community members through all of the various use cases outlined in our list.
Whether you want to start a new programme for students or launch a mentorship initiative, screens provide an excellent medium for sharing your great work. After all, thatโs what a library is for.
Positioning Your Library as Forward-Thinking
Today’s library visitors live in a digital-first world. They’re looking for seamless virtual connections that fit naturally into their daily routines. Whether they’re working, gaming, or browsing, most people rely on their smartphones, tablets, or computers to stay connected.
The more forward-thinking that a library is, the more likely it is that it will attract potential new customers and reach a wider audience.
Increased Participation in Gatherings and Clubs
Events can be a great way to encourage library guests to participate in the wider community and be a great way for people to share ideas and interests. Digital screens can help to promote these events, leading to more participation and overall event success.
Supporting loyal customers by hosting themed events such as quizzes based on genres, tabletop games and author signings keeps people coming back. Increase customer loyalty by promoting these events and increasing the reach of the library through clubs and communities.
In conclusion
Digital signage is revolutionising libraries by enhancing visitor experiences and engagement. From wayfinding to promoting events and sharing resources, it provides an adaptable, modern solution to keep libraries relevant. By embracing digital screens, libraries can attract more visitors, encourage participation, and create a welcoming, forward-thinking environment. It can be a great way to modernise a library and promote events.
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